BEN PASTERNAK

Age: 21 • Founder, Simulate

Thanks to Pasternak, vegetarians can feel happier about homemade Happy Meals. His startup, Simulate, makes Nuggs—a vegan version of America’s favorite Frankenfood. “Chicken nuggets are already integrated into internet and meme culture,” Pasternak says. “It’s easy to create a fun brand around it.” Based in New York and primarily sold online, Nuggs is on track for $8 million in revenue this year. The Australia-born Pasternak began building iOS games at 14 and dropped out of school at 15. By 18, he had built and sold Monkey, a video-chat app with 10 million users. Simulate, his latest venture, has raised more than $15 million from Lerer Hippeau, Alexis Ohanian and McCain Foods. Ever the programmer, Pasternak continually tweaks his plant-based poultry. Nuggs has tested thousands of formulas and released nine versions to the public. Next on the menu? Veggie hot dogs.

JUDGES: Lilla Cosgrove, cofounder, Candid (Under 30 Class of 2019); Howie Liu, cofounder, Airtable; Neil Parikh, cofounder, Casper (Under 30 Class of 2015); Adina Teklu, principal, Khosla Ventures (Under 30 Class of 2019)